That One Word

If you're ever confused about when to use the word "retarded",
refer to this chart called "When is it okay to use the word retarded?" 

Are you ever uncomfortable when you're in a conversation with someone and they say that one word that you can't stand? That one word for me, is the word "retarded". Above is a clever chart made by the Military Special Needs Network for people to understand when it is okay to use the word "retarded". The word "retarded" derives from the term "mental retardation". Click on the link to see Merriam Webster's definition of the term. To sum it up, mental retardation is an intellectual disability that causes a person to learn and develop concepts slower than others. 

A recent article from Polymic gives a brief glimpse of why many Americans have an issue with the word "retarded". People today tend to use the word to describe something with a negative connotation, like calling something stupid. 

 Over time, the medical term, "mental retardation", has changed to a negative slur, "retarded". I believe that American language is always changing, but right now, the type of slang that we use is becoming more negative. A person's choice of words can show others their beliefs and attitudes toward a certain topic or group of people. Therefore, I think that when people use the word "retarded", it shows America's past discriminatory attitude toward people with disabilities. I say "past" attitude because Americans are becoming more sensitive towards the word because of the increasing numbers of people with disabilities. A 2012 report from the U.S. Census Bureau that said, "About 56.7 million people --19 percent of the population--had a disability in 2010". Even though I would say that many Americans are aware of how offensive the term can be, people still use the term in their everyday lingo. 

So think about the words that you use and the context that you use them in. Why do you use those words? What is that one word for you? Why do you think Americans today, use that word? How is American language changing? What is causing these changes? What does our language say about American history and the history we are currently making?

So when is it okay to say the word "retarded"? Never.